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Minutes earlier, the U.S. men's hockey team beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game at the2026 Winter Olympics. Hellebuyck, the American goalie, deserved more than a medal -- and he got it.

The American fans roared.

"We're going to be talking about this performance for generations,'' U.S. winger Brady Tkachuk said. "It was an all-time performance from a superstar at his position. It's going to go down as one of the best performances of all time.''

In fact, Tkachuk compared Hellebuyck's performance to one of the greatest of all time. That of Jim Craig, who faced 39 shots against the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics and helped lift the Americans to their 4-3 victory in the "Miracle On Ice."

"It has to be right up there with Jimmy Craig, all the great United States goaltenders, I mean in NHL, whatever type of hockey, goaltender performance you want to talk about,'' Tkachuk said. "That's right up there."

There was reason to believe Hellebuyck, 32, was capable of such a performance.

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He's been a starter for the Winnipeg Jets since the 2016-17 season.

A three-time winner of the Vezina Trophy, which goes to the NHL's top goaltender.

A winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player.

But U.S. winger Quinn Hughes mentioned the Americans' bus ride to the arena before they played Sweden in the semifinals.

"He fell asleep on the bus on the way to the Sweden game (semifinal),''  Hughes said. "I was like, 'We're good with this guy. He's very relaxed'. Since that moment, I knew he was going to be good."

That day, he saved 28 of 29 shots as the Americans prevailed 2-1 in overtime.

It was a sign of things to come.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Goalie Connor Hellebuyck has golden performance in US win vs Canada

NEED TO KNOW

• Team USA hockey player Dylan Larkin said he thinks his late teammate Johnny Gaudreau "somehow" was responsible for "the puck not going in our net" in their gold medal game at the Winter Olympics

• Larkin joked, "which is ironic because it's on the defensive side" and Johnny "would've never been back there"

• Larkin and teammate Zach Werenski brought two of Gaudreau's children, Johnny Jr. and Noa, out onto the ice to celebrate after the win

Hockey starDylan Larkinthinks his late NHL teammate,Johnny Gaudreau,may have cosmically had a hand in Team USA's win in the gold medal game at theWinter Olympics.

After the United States defeated Canada 2-1 in the highly-anticipated match on Sunday, Feb, 22, Larkin, 29, spoke to reporters, including PEOPLE, about how the team has remembered the former star during the Games. Gaudreau,who died in Aug. 2024along with his brother Matthew when they were hit by an alleged drunk driver, was on track to make the Olympic team.

"Johnny and Matty should be here and that is still the biggest loss that all of us at USA hockey, their families, our family, has gone through," Larkin said.

Gregory Shamus/Getty

Acknowledging the hardship that Johnny and Matthew's families have dealt with since the tragedy, which occurred on the eve of their sister's wedding, Larkin said it "just felt right" tobring Johnny's kids, Johnny Jr., 2, and Noa, 3, out to celebratewith the team after they secured the U.S. its first gold medal in hockey since 1980.

"Johnny [is] family first," said Larkin.

Larkin also jokingly suggested that his former teammate may have beensomehowhelping out Team USA as Canadian stars like Connor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon tried to score the game-winning goal.

"I think part of the puck not going in our net was somehow, that he's standing there doing something," said Larkin, adding that he pictures Johnny "laughing with Matty," as they "just somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn't go in."

Larkin also took the moment to poke fun at his late friend and teammate, calling the idea that Johnny, a forward, was playing defense for the team posthumously "ironic 'cause it's on the defensive side, and he would've never been back there."

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Larkin added that the players of Team USA and the NHL "miss him and love him, and we love his family."

Johnny's wifeMeredithbrought their two children to the gold medal game, alongside the NHL star's parents, Jane and Guy Gaudreau.

After Jack Hughes won the game in overtime for Team USA, Guy, 68, was seen crying in the arena.

Jamie Squire/Getty

In a statement ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Gaudreau family said representing Team USA in the Olympics was one of Johnny's "greatest dreams" and revealed that he had been "training harder than ever" the summer of his tragic death.

"He was determined to earn his spot on that Olympic roster," they wrote. "While it breaks our hearts that John won't be there to live out that dream, we know he will be so very present with Team USA and all of his close friends competing throughout these games."

They continued: "Though the Olympics will be bittersweet for our family, we find comfort knowing that in the hearts of his teammates, friends, and everyone who loved watching him play, John will be right there. Go Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride."

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come topeople.comto check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.

Read the original article onPeople

Martin Chivers, soccer, 1945-2026

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Sports figures we lost in 2026

Moore's death was confirmedto the Louisville Courier Journal― part of the USA TODAY Network ― by Matthew Tomlin, Floyd County (Indiana) coroner. Moore was 25 years old.

His cause of death is still under investigation, according to Tomlin.

Jeff Brohm, Moore's coach at Purdue, confirmed the news of Moore's death with a social media post on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.

"Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor that would never back down to any challenge," Brohm said in his post. "Rondale had a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale and we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with.

"We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family and we love him very much."

Moore played at Purdue from 2018 to 2020 before becoming a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by theArizona Cardinals. Moore spent the 2025 season with the Vikings, but missed the entire season after sustaining a season-ending knee injury during the 2025 preseason opener.

NFL world reacts to Rondale Moore's death

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Hollywood Brown, who played with Moore in 2022-23 in Arizona, said he messaged Moore "a few hours ago," in a post on Saturday.

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"We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Rondale Moore," the Vikings said in a statement. "While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale's family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings. We have also been in communication with our players, coaches, and staff, and will make counseling and emotional support resources available to anyone in need.

"Our thoughts are with Rondale's family and friends during this devastating time."

The Vikings also released a statement from head coach Kevin O'Connell:

"I am devastated by the news of Rondale's death. While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, Rondale was someone we came to know well and care about deeply. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career.

"We are all heartbroken by the fact he won't continue to live out his NFL dream and we won't all have a chance to watch him flourish. My prayers are with Rondale's family, friends, teammates and coaches as we all deal with this tragic news."

The NFLPA also issued a statement:

Contributing: Tyler Dragon

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore dies at age 25

Blizzard warnings have been issued across the East Coast from Virginia to New Hampshire, including all five boroughs of New York City.

You can track Winter Storm Hernando's movementshere. We're recommending that anyone in the region avoid travel, as dangerous road conditions are expected through Monday. As snow piles up and winds rise, power outages and flight cancellations are expected.

We'll be bringing you live updates of the storm as they happen, covering every angle of this storm.

(02:15 p.m. EST) Shovel Smart, Not Hard

From Content Writer Toby Adeyemi

A quick reminder for snow shovelers out there:

Push, don't lift. Slide snow to the side instead of picking it up, this will save your back and your energy. Bend with your knees, not your back. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and let your legs do the work. Don't twist your body. Move your feet to face where you're tossing the snow, twisting is how people get hurt. Go light. Only fill the shovel halfway, especially if it's wet or packed. Shovel often. Clear snow early and frequently before it gets heavy or icy. Clear around fire hydrants. Keep a 3-foot radius open so emergency crews can access them fast if needed.

(01:45 p.m. EST) Transit To Halt In New Jersey

New Jersey Transit has announced that bus and light rail service will be halted at 6 p.m. tonight.

(01:20 p.m. EST) Delays Mount At Airports Along The East Coast

We began the day with hundreds of flight cancellations at each of the New York City area airports and now delays are beginning to mount along the East Coast. More than 15,000 delayed flights have already been reported today across the country. Expect that number to continue to rise as gridlock begins to cascade across airports.

Some travelers, like this one below at LaGuardia Airport, are settling in for a long wait.

(12:54 p.m. EST) NYC Announces Travel Ban

A travel ban will go into effect at 9 p.m. tonight in New York City, with all roads and bridges closed to non-essential traffic.

(12:48 p.m. EST) Cutting It Close

As Winter Storm Hernando slowly inches toward the coast, shoppers at a hardware store in Quincy, Massachusetts were seen picking up last minute essentials this morning, including snowblower fuel, rock salt, and this snow shovel. If you still need supplies before this blizzard, there isn't much time left.

(12:22 p.m. EST) Schools, Broadway Announce Cancellations In New York

Closures and cancellations are just beginning to roll in across New York City. All Broadway performances at 6 p.m. have been cancelled ina joint announcementAfter a small delay, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also announced that public schools will be closed on Monday.

(11:55 a.m. EST) How To Save On Heating During A Blizzard

From content writer Toby Adeyemi

During Winter and especially during Blizzards, people tend to see an uptick in their energy bills. Here's how to save some coins during the winter months

Don't ignore your heating system!

Get the maintenance done, it'll save you in the long run! Change air filters regularly, clear vents of dust, and schedule a professional tune-up.

Close the doors and vents

Keeps warm air circulating in the spaces you actually live in

Smart Thermostat = Smart Heating

Program your thermostat to lower while you're asleep or away, then warm up before you return.

(11:25 a.m. EST) New York City Hiring Locals To Shovel Snow

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford

New York City has had its fair share of snowstorms, and they have a creative idea to help keep the city from completely shutting down.

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They are offering people part-time jobs paying 19 dollars an hour to help shovel snow.

(10:53 a.m. EST) Grocery Lines Stretch Down City Blocks

New Yorkers were lining up for groceries early on Saturday morning to gather supplies and prepare for the blizzard.

(10:21 a.m. EST) Boston Facing Historic, Destructive Winds

It isn't all just snow. The NWS forecast for Boston includes some extremely dangerous wind gusts, potentially reaching as high as 70 mph.

(09:55 a.m. EST) Snowfall Forecast To Reach Between 16 And 24 Inches

The latest snowfall forecast from the National Weather Service includes some eye-popping totals, including 20 inches in New York City.

(09:30 a.m. EST) Things To Do For Your Car Before Going Outside In A Blizzard

If you absolutely have to get in your car during blizzard conditions, don't forget these essential safety tips.

Check your lights. Test headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and flashers because visibility will be low. Top off windshield wiper fluid. Use winter-grade fluid with de-icer and replace worn blades. Check your coolant. Make sure it's full and meets manufacturer specs. Stock an emergency kit. Pack a snow shovel, ice scraper, sand or kitty litter for traction, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, first aid kit, and blankets. Keep your tank full. For gas vehicles, stay near full; for electric/hybrid, keep your battery charged so you're not stranded.

(09:05 a.m. EST) Sanitation Workers Outfit Garbage Trucks With Plows, Chains

New York City Department of Sanitation workers were up late last night outfitting garbage trucks with tire chains and snow plows in preparation for Winter Storm Hernando.

(08:50 a.m. EST) National Weather Service Predicts Extreme Impacts

It doesn't get higher than that folks. As the NWS is warning, we're expecting "widespread disruptions to daily life" as this storm passes through.

(08:35 a.m. EST) Timing of Snowfall For Major Northeast Cities

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford

For New York City and Philadelphia, the heaviest snowfall is expected through the overnight hours. Snowfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour and winds could gust to 55 mph.

For Boston, the heaviest snowfall is expected through the day on Monday, specifically between 5 am and 4 pm. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are possible with some areas potentially seeing snowfall up to 3 inches per hour.

(08:05 a.m. EST) Rhode Island Expecting Biggest Snowfall Of The Season

From Content Writer Toby Adeyemi

Rhode Island is about to catch its biggest snowstorm of the season. A winter storm watch is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning, with Providence potentially seeing 15 inches of snow. Rhode Island has been warned to expect possible blizzard conditions, total accumulations between 14 and 18 inches, and wind gusts up to 55 mph. The snow's expected to be wet and heavy, so power outages are definitely on the table. Right now's the time to lock in your prep.

(07:42 a.m. EST) Flight Cancellations

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford and Wyatt Williams

Flight delays and cancellations will be a major issue as Winter Storm Hernando moves up the East Coast. As of this morning, New York City leads the way with more than 60% of flights into JFK and Laguardia airports already canceled for the day. Boston Logan International, Philadelphia International and Ronald Regean National in D.C. are also seeing hundreds of flight cancellations.

So far, delays have yet to stack up, but we expect to see major issues as the day goes on. We'll update you when we know more.

(07:05 a.m. EST) What Is A Blizzard?

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford

A blizzard is defined as meeting the following criteria:

• Blowing and/or falling snow

• Winds at least 35 mph

• Reduction of visibility to quarter mile or less

• These conditions last at least 3 hours

Blizzard warnings are in place for New York City from Sunday morning to Monday morning. Snowfall totals over a foot and winds gusting to 55 mph will cause major impacts on commutes.

(07:15 a.m. EST) It Has Been A Snowy Winter

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford

If you are wondering if this winter has been snowier than average, you would be correct. Some major metropolitan areas have seen above-average snowfall this year and crushed last years snowfall.

The most impressive is Boston, which has seen over 40 inches of snowfall this year so far. That is more than 8 inches above average and greatly tops last year's 28.1 inches.

New York City is also above average this year with a snowfall total of 22.3 inches. They only saw 12.9 inches all of last winter, so it looks like the city will double their snowfall from last year.

Iran Daily Life

Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said on social media he was pleased to confirm the development, "with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal." Oman previously hosted theindirect talkson the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and facilitated the latest round in Geneva last week.

There was no immediate comment from the White House.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had told CBS in an interview aired Sunday that a "good chance" remained for a diplomatic solution on the nuclear issue, adding it was the only matter being discussed.

The Trump administration has been pushing for concessions from its longtime adversary and has built up thelargest U.S. military presence in the Middle Eastin decades.

President Donald Trump warned on Friday thatlimited strikes against Iranare possible, even as Araghchi at the time said Tehran expected to have a proposed deal ready in the next few days.

Araghchi told CBS that Iran was still working on the draft proposal. He added that Iran has the right to enrich uranium. On Friday, he said his U.S. counterparts had not asked for zero enrichment as part of the latest round of talks, which is not what U.S. officials have said publicly.

Both Iran and the U.S. havesignaled they are prepared for warif talks on Tehran's nuclear program fail.

Minutes after Oman's confirmation of talks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on social media that "recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor U.S. actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario."

The U.S. has said Iran cannot have nuclear weapons or the capacity to build them and that it cannot enrich uranium. Tehran has long insisted that any negotiations should onlyfocus on its nuclear program, and that it hasn't been enriching uranium sinceU.S. and Israeli strikeson Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Although Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, the U.S. and others suspect it is aimed at eventually developing weapons.

Talks were deadlocked for years after Trump's decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw the U.S.from Iran's 2015 nuclear dealwith world powers. Since then, Iran has refused to discuss wider U.S. and Israeli demands that it scale back its missile program and sever ties to armed groups.

New protests in Iran

Confirmation of new talks came as new anti-government protests began inIran, according to witnesses, as university students in Tehran and another city demonstrated around memorials for thousands of people killed in acrackdown on previous nationwide demonstrationsabout six weeks ago.

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Iran's state news agency said students protested at five universities in the capital, Tehran, and one in the city of Mashhad on Sunday. The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.

Iran's government has not commented on the latest protests.

Many Iranians have held ceremonies marking the traditional 40-day mourning period in the past week. Most of the protesters are believed to have been killed around Jan. 8 and 9, according to activists tracking the situation.

Iranians across the country are still reeling withshock,griefandfearafter the earlier protests were crushed by the deadliest crackdown ever seen under the rule of 86-year-oldSupreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Thousands of people were killed and tens of thousands are believed to have beenarrested.

Although the crackdown tamped down the largest protests, smaller ones are still occurring, according to protesters and to videos shared on social media.

Duringthe 1979 Islamic Revolutionthat toppled the shah andbrought the Islamic Republic to power, 40-day memorials for slain protesters often turned into rallies that security forces tried to crush, causing new deaths. Those were then marked 40 days later, with new protests.

Posts on social media Saturday and Sunday have alleged that security forces tried to restrict people from attending some 40-day ceremonies.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says at least 7,015 people were killed in the previous protests and crackdown, including 214 government forces. The group has been accurate in counting deaths during previous rounds of unrest in Iran and relies on a network of activists there to verify deaths.

The death toll continues to rise as the group crosschecks information despite disrupted communication with those inside the Islamic Republic.

Iran's government offered its only death toll from the previous protests on Jan. 21, saying 3,117 people were killed. Iran's theocracy in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from past unrest.

The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, given authorities have disrupted internet access and international calls in Iran.

Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Tel Aviv, Israel.

A security detail detected the man near the north gate of PresidentDonald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, at about 1:30 a.m. local time. Authorities said he was carrying a shotgun and a fuel can. The president was in Washington during the incident and not at his property.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters that the man reached the property's inner perimeter near its entrance, prompting a sheriff's deputy and two Secret Service agents to go to the area and investigate.

"They confronted a White male that was carrying a gas can and a shotgun," Bradshaw said. "He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him, at which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position. At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat."

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, Bradshaw said, and no agents were injured.

Nobody who receives protection from the Secret Service was present at the time of the shooting, Secret Service communication chief Anthony Guglielmi said innews release.

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Officials have not released the man's identity, but they said he was in his early 20s. When asked if the man was already known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said "not right now." He said he could not yet confirm how many shots were fired because the incident remains under active investigation, with the FBI taking lead.

Authorities asked people who live in the area to look at any security footage they may have from around their homes and report anything suspicious to the FBI or local authorities.

In aposton social media, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Secret Service "acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person." She also slammed Democrats for the ongoingpartial government shutdown,during which the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, has faced a lapse in funding.

In September 2024, Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt while he golfed at his club in suburban West Palm Beach, a short drive from Mar-a-Lago.RyanWesley Routhwas found guilty of attempting to assassinate the then-presidential nominee. It was the second attempt on Trump's life in the run-up to the November 2024 election, preceded by the shooting in July at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

In January 2020, a woman drove an SUV through barriers at Mar-a-Lago, prompting the Secret Service and Palm Beach County sheriff's officers to fire at her vehicle. The woman, opera singer Hannah Roemhild, was found not guilty byreason of insanity.

Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@usatoday.comand on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletterhere.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Man shot and killed after allegedly breaching Mar-a-Lago

Crosby, a two-time Olympic gold medalist,suffered a lower-body injury during Canada's quarterfinal victory over Czechia. His status for Sunday's game had been in doubt right up until the official announcement.

In the game against Czechia, Crosby was hit along the boards in the second period by Czechia's Martin Nečas and Radko Gudas, the third major hit he'd taken that period. He exited the ice soon afterward, limped toward the locker room, and was soon ruled out of that game.

Canada head coach Jon Cooper said on Friday that he believed Crosby had a chance to play in the gold-medal game, but clearly the 38-year-old Canadian captain did not recover in time to be in Canada's active lineup.

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"He's Sidney Crosby," Connor McDavid said after Crosby's injury. "He's going to have a big influence no matter what. In the lineup, not in the lineup, he's going to have a big influence. That's what he does."

Crosby, the oldest player on Canada's roster, has played in three Olympic Games for Canada, and has won two golds, in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. Crosby scored Canada's golden overtime goal in 2010 that sent Canada past the United States. He skated in practice on both Friday and Saturday but made no public statements, as both practices were closed to media.

McDavid will again be the playing captain for Team Canada, as he has been since Crosby's injury.

Crosby has scored two goals and four assists while in Milan, and holds the Canadian NHL-era Olympic record with 16 total points.